Mom's Dinner

  • Home
  • All Recipes
  • Instant Pot
    • All Instant Pot Recipes
    • Instant Pot Soup
    • Instant Pot Beef
    • Instant Pot Chicken
    • Instant Pot Pork
    • Instant Pot Turkey
    • Instant Pot Pasta
    • Instant Pot Vegetarian
  • Dinner
    • Beef
    • Chicken
    • Pork
    • Turkey
    • Fish & Seafood
    • Mexican
    • Pasta
    • Vegetarian
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • All Recipes
  • Dinner
  • About
  • Subscribe
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • All Recipes
  • Dinner
  • About
  • Subscribe
×
You are here: Home / Recipes / Dips and Sauces

Homemade Cajun Seasoning

By Susie Weinrich · Date Feb 24, 2022· Leave a Comment · May contain affiliate links.

a jar of seasonings with spices and herbs spilled around
pin image with text
↓ Jump to Recipe
Pin the Recipe

This Homemade Cajun Seasoning is the perfect blend of spices and herbs that adds a punch of flavor and a touch of heat to any dish. If you love that Southern Cuisine from Louisiana and the Bayou, then you need this Cajun blend in your spice cabinet!

a little mason jar full of Cajun Spices

You probably already have most of the spices you need to make this right in your spice cabinet!

This blend is great when used in this recipe for Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice (you can also make it in the crock pot).

Table of Contents hide
1 What is Cajun?
2 Ingredients
3 How to Make Cajun Seasoning
4 Spicier
5 Sweeter
6 Storing Your Seasoning Blend
7 Related Recipes
8 Did you make this recipe?
9 Homemade Cajun Seasoning Blend

What is Cajun?

Cajun Cuisine is defined by Wikipedia as “a style of cooking developed by the Cajun – Acadians who were deported from Acadia to Louisiana during the 18th century and who incorporated West African, French and Spanish cooking techniques into their original cuisine.“

Some of the flavors/foods you find most in Cajun Cuisine are paprika, garlic, thyme, cayenne, bay leaf, seafood, rice, and sausage.

Ingredients

You only need to look to your spice cabinet to make this seasoning blend.

ingredients for cajun seasoning on spoons in a row

Grab your smoked paprika, garlic and onion powder, kosher salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, dried oregano and thyme, and cayenne pepper.

SMOKED Paprika

Make sure that you are using SMOKED paprika and not just plain “paprika” which can also be labeled Sweet Paprika or Hungarian Paprika.

The smoky flavor if Smoked Paprika is essential to get the right flavor in your spice blend.

Kosher Salt

Make sure that you are using kosher salt in this recipe, not iodized table salt!

They are not the same thing and the table salt will make your blend overly salty.

How to Make Cajun Seasoning

This is a pretty simple process, simply grab the spices and a small bowl.

a jar that has defined layers of spices and seasonings

Give them a good stir to combine, making sure there are no clumps remaining and that all the seasoning on the bottom is mixed in.

Alternately you could place all the spices in a mason jar, pop the lid on and give it a good shake.

Spicier

If you know that you always like food on the spicy side, then absolutely bump up the heat!

Increase the cayenne pepper to 1 ½ teaspoon AND add in a healthy pinch or two of red pepper flakes.

Sweeter

Sometimes it is appropriate to add a little brown sugar to your Cajun Seasoning.

a jar of seasonings with spices and herbs spilled around

The sweetness and molasses flavors of the brown sugar are great when used with pork or seafood, like in this Cajun Salmon.

I would only add the brown sugar on a per recipe basis, not in the entire jar.

Scoop out 1 tablespoon of Cajun Seasoning and blend it with 1 tablespoon of brown sugar.

Storing Your Seasoning Blend

Just like any store-bought seasoning, keep this Cajun Blend in an airtight container in your spice cabinet.

A small mason jar or Weck jar will work perfectly here.

a mason jar with a label on the side that says Cajun Blend March 2021

Since this blend contains dried and ground spices, it will be good for about 2 years. Make sure to write the date on the bottom of the jar or on a spice label.

Related Recipes

If you love Cajun flavors then you are in the right spot! Here are some dishes that are infused with all the Cajun Seasonings:

  • homemade cajun aioli in a white bowl with a spoon
    Simple Cajun Aioli
  • Cajun shrimp in a skillet with lemons
    Skillet Cajun Shrimp
  • Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Pasta in a large white bowl
    Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Pasta
  • a bowl of Cajun Chicken and Rice with a spoon
    Instant Pot Cajun Chicken and Rice

Susie leaning on the kitchen counter

💛💛💛💛💛

Did you make this recipe?

I would love to hear your review, especially if you have tips and tricks to add! Pop down to the comment section and connect with me

Rate This Recipe→
a mason jar and spoon full of Cajun Seasoning

Homemade Cajun Seasoning Blend

A homemade blend of herbs and spices that adds amazing Cajun flavor to any dish!
5 from 1 vote
Print Rate Save Saved!
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes minutes
Servings: 0.75 cup
Calories: 209kcal
Author: Susie Weinrich

Equipment

  • Airtight container for storage

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoon smoked paprika - make sure to use "smoked"
  • 1 ½ tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 ½ tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 ½ tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • ½ tablespoon red pepper flakes
  • ½ tablespoon dried thyme
  • ½ tablespoon cayenne pepper - (up to 1 tablespoon for more heat/spice)

Instructions
 

  • In a small bowl measure out all the spices and give it a good stir.
  • Place in an airtight container.
    A small mason jar or Weck jar works well.
  • Write the date on the jar and keep for up to 2 years.

Recipe Tips and Notes:

Recipe Tips: 
  • Make sure that you are using kosher salt in this recipe, not iodized table salt!
  • For a touch of sweetness add brown sugar on a per recipe basis, not in the entire jar. Scoop out 1 tablespoon of Cajun Seasoning and blend it with 1 tablespoon of brown sugar. This is great with seafood or pork.
  • For more heat bump up the cayenne pepper to 1 tablespoon and add a healthy pinch or two of red pepper flakes.
 
RECIPE: Try using your new Cajun Seasoning in this recipe for Red Beans and Rice (instant pot or crock pot methods!).
Did you make this recipe?Connect with me and let me know by commenting below!
Jump to Comments
Serving: 1recipe | Calories: 209kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 13991mg | Potassium: 1036mg | Fiber: 17g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 10840IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 315mg | Iron: 12mg

About Susie Weinrich

Susie Weinrich is the recipe developer, food photographer, and content creator behind Mom's Dinner. She has over 20 years experience in the food industry. Currently, Susie shares all her recipes and food knowledge on Mom's Dinner. You will find her recipes are easy to follow and full of tips and tricks to make sure the recipe you are making turns out perfect!

Comments

No Comments

5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

We would love to have you comment & rate the recipe! Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Susie in the kitchen with an apron on getting ready to cook

Meet The Author:

Susie Weinrich is a professional food photographer and recipe developer. Her thoroughly tested recipes and step-by-step guides give readers confidence in the kitchen.

YOU will feel like a huge success at dinner time with any of the simple recipes on Mom's Dinner! Read More

Helpful Meal Planning Resources

  • a table with white place settings and green garland
    Easy Meals for House Guests
  • a round table with a large family eating dinner
    30 Easy Meals for Large Family Vacations & Gatherings
woman owned small business certificate by Sertify

Amazing New Recipes

  • Frozen fruit cups with with a spoon
    Grandma’s Frozen Fruit Cups
  • A woman holding a grilled steak house burger on a bun with chips on a plate and a soda to the side
    Steakhouse Ribeye Burgers
  • Wooden spoon coated in homemade coleslaw dressing held over the bowl of the sauce.
    Homemade Coleslaw Dressing
  • a big bowl of spaghetti bolognese topped with parmesan cheese and parsley
    Mom’s Beef Bolognese Sauce

Footer

^ back to top

About

  • Susie Weinrich
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Policy

Contact

  • Sign Up! for emails
  • Contact Me!
  • Join Me On YouTube

Recipes

  • Recipe By Category
  • Instant Pot Recipes
  • Dinner Recipes

Copyright © 2025 Mom's Dinner

Rate & Review This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.